What could be arguably billed as the largest collection of male athletes in the world, the 2012 Arnold Strongman Challenge has released it's list of invitees. With a few new comers, a few veterans, a standalone world record holder, 3 Arnold champions and 2 of the biggest men ever to compete in the sport, it is gonna be one hell of a ride in Columbus, March 2nd and 3rd.
This list is of the 8 invitees named thus far. The final two will be named after the LA Fit Expo All American Strongman Challenge this coming weekend in Los Angeles, Ca. We are awaiting an email form Odd Haugen, LA Fit Strongman organizer so we can begin to determine who the final two might be. More as this develops.
The 2012 Arnold Strongman Classic will feature three former champions for the first time when ten of the world’s greatest strength athletes take part in a two-day competition to determine the world’s strongest man.
Brian Shaw, who won his first Arnold Strongman title in 2011, highlights a field that also includes six-time champion Zydrunas Savickas (2003-08) and two-time champ Derek Poundstone, who won the contest in 2009 and 2010 before sitting out last year due to injury. Also in the field is 2011 runner-up Mike Jenkins.
The Arnold Strongman Classic, set for March 2-3, 2012 at the Arnold Sports Festival, will feature a field of 10 athletes from at least five countries competing in five events: Shouldering Apollon’s Wheels, Circus Dumbbell, The Austrian Oak, The Deadlift and the Timber Carry.
2012 Arnold Strongman Classic competitors include:
Matesz Baron of Poland – Winner of 2011 Arnold Amateur World Strongman Championships
Haftor Bjornsson of Iceland – A 6-foot-9, 430-pound former basketball player who won Iceland Strongest Man in 2011 and was runner-up to Shaw at the Jon Pall Sigmarsson Classic
Mike Jenkins of Baltimore, Md. – Runner-up at Arnold Strongman Classic in 2011 and winner of the inaugural Arnold Amateur World Strongman Championships in 2010
Mikhail Koklyaev of Russia – Arnold Classic Strongman veteran who is four-time winner in Strongman Champions League
Benedickt Magnusson of Iceland – Finished fifth at the Arnold Strongman Classic in 2006 and 2008 before sitting out 2010 due to injury. World record holder in the deadlift at 1,102.3 pounds (500 kg)
Derek Poundstone of Waterbury, Conn. – Arnold Strongman champion in 2009 and 2010
Zydrunas Savickas of Lithuania – Arnold Strongman winner 2003-08 and World’s Strongest Man winner in 2010
Brian Shaw of Fort Lupton, Colo. – Arnold Strongman and World’s Strongest Man winner in 2011
Breaking News: Michael Burke of Aurora, Co has won the L.A. Fit Expo All American Strongman Challenge which comes with an invitation to the Arnold Strongman Classic in March. Also, lawrence Shahleai from England has also been added as the 10th invitee. Not all of the listed athletes have accepted their invitations. More as it becomes available.
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